Child s crib or bed



'(No Model.) v

A. W. GROSSLEY. CHILD'S CRIB 0R BED.

Patented Apr. 10, 1894.

, Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR W. OROSSLEY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHILDS CRIB OR BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 518,180, dated April 10, 1894.

Application filed July 15, 1892. Serial No. 440. 3% d To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR W. CROSSLEY, of Boston, in the county of Sufiolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Childrens Cribs or Beds, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has relation to that class of cribs or childrens beds which are adapted to be moved for the purpose of quieting restlessness, and inducing slumber in children.

The most common movement imparted to cribs and cradles for the purpose mentioned is that of rocking or swinging from side to side. This movement is objectionable, as tending in many cases to aggravate sleeplessness and feelings of unrest, and for other wellknown reasons. I have ascertained that if a crib or bed be reciprocated in substantially a straight line so as to move the occupant longitudinally with a short, easy reciprocatory motion-that is, a motion without jerk or jar-such motion will have a very quieting tendency upon the nerves, and operate otherwise without physiological objection to induce sleep.

To these ends my invention consists in the construction substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is made to the annexed drawings and letters marked thereon, forming a part of this specification, similar letters designating similar parts or features, as the case may be, Wherever they occur.

Of the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a childs crib constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan, and

4 and 5 are detail views illustrating modifications.

In the drawings, a is the crib or bed proper, and b is the supporting frame.

One of the essential features of my invention is that the bed or crib a be mounted upon its supports so as that it may be moved longitudinally, or, rather, so as that it may move the occupant longitudinally. This I have done and contemplate doing in various ways.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, one of the ends of each of four straps c is secured to the crib at the corners, and the other end of said straps is carried up and attached to a rod 01 at the end of the frame, or the straps may at this point be connected to any other stationary piece or part. A space of, say three inches, or any other suitable extent, is left between the ends of the crib and the ends of the frame, and in this space I interpose springs e, which bear upon or are otherwise connected with the ends of the crib andframe so as to limit the longitudinal movement of the latter, and secure a'smooth, jarless and j erkless' reciprocatory motion.

It is desirable that the crib should be mounted so as to move in a right or straight line, but when hung as described, the extent of movement being short, the curved line of movement is unappreciable;

I do not limit myself to the manner of hanging the crib in or mounting it upon its frame or support, since it is obvious that this may be varied in many ways. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, a yoke or link frame fmay be pivotally connected with the base 9 and the bottom h of the crib or bed. Furthermore, I do not restrict my invention to the described manner of arranging the springs, since it is only necessary that these be interposed between some part of the crib or bed proper and its frame or other stationary part, and one or more springs may be employed. The straps 0 may be made to serve both as supports and springs by being made of metal; or, as shown in Fig. 4, the 'spring'or springs, may be interposed between a bracket or pendent part i on the bottom it of the crib, and

a like bracket or projecting part j on the base or support 9. Moreover, I do not limit the invention to use in childrens beds or cribs, since it is obvious that it is applicable to adults beds as well.

The crib may be reciprocated by hand or operated by any suitable mechanism or contrivance, and any known mechanical means for the purpose may be provided for looking or latching the crib proper to the frame to make the former serve as a stationary crib.

As above stated, it is desirable to prevent lateral swinging movement of the bed bottom or crib proper, and the springs serve this purpose, owing to their connection with the bed bottom and frame, and also cause the short and easy reciprocatory motion without jerk or jar or noise.

Having explained the nature of my invention and described ways of constructing and using the same, though Without attempting to set forth all the ways in which it may be made or all of its modes of use, I declare that what I claim is 1. A crib or childs bed comprising in its construction a stationary frame, a bed support or crib proper, supporting devices connected with the latter and the frame of a structural character in virtue of which the bed support or crib proper is adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally and maintained against lateral or rocking or rolling motion, and a spring or springs interposed between portions of the frame and bed support or crib proper, the said spring or springs being constructed and arranged to operate resiliently in a substantially horizontal plane, whereby the reciprocating movements of the crib are limited and cushioned, as set forth.

2. A crib or childs bed comprising in its construction a rectangular frame having rods (1 at its ends, a bed bottom having two straps c at each end connected with rods d, and springs e interposed between the ends of the bed bottom and frame, lateral movement of the bed bottom being prevented by the sides of the frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, iu the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 13th day of July, A. D. 1892.

ARTHUR W. OROSSLEY.

Witnesses:

GEo. T. SMALLWOOD, HORACE BROWN. 

